Dry shaver blade having hook-shaped securing means



Sept. 28, 1965 1. JEPSON ETAL 3,203,141

DRY SHAVER BLADE HAVING HOOK-SHAPED SECURING MEANS Original Filed May12, 1961 WW 2 C. 5 J J m f w. 1 d a a ww w /u 5 .14 JIVMQL 6W l n 4 H L1% H. \zn kr/y Q. a a J x a Jim 2 05 M1 5 eM u mm: MP M 0 6 m UnitedStates Patent 3,208,141 DRY SHAVER BLADE HAVING HOOK-SHAPED SECURINGMEANS Ivar .Jepson, Sister Bay, Wis., and Francis J. Schuessler,

Chicago, 111., assignors to Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, 111., acorporation of Illinois Original application lviay 12, 1961, Ser. No.109,551, now Patent No. 3,196,539, dated July 27, 1965. Divided and thisapplication Sept. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 398,299 2 Claims. (Cl. -437) Thepresent application is a division of copending Jepson et al. applicationSerial No. 109,551, filed May 12, 1961, now Patent No. 3,196,539 grantedJuly 27, 1965.

This invention relates to apparatus for removing beards or face hair aswell as effecting depilation of hair on the arms, legs and otherportions of the human body, and is generally referred to as an electricdry shaver. More particularly, the present invention is directed to animproved blade for an electric dry shaver and is in the nature of animprovement over the dry shaver disclosed and claimed in Jepson PatentNo. 2,688,184, granted September 7, 1954, and assigned to the sameassignee.

Electric shavers of several different types are extensively employed bymany persons as the sole means of shaving. The type of electric shaverdisclosed in the above-mentioned Jepson Patent No. 2,688,184 has provedto be unusually satisfactory for reducing shaving time while stillfurnishing a very satisfactory shave. Moreover, this shaver has beendesigned so .tbat it may be held comfortably and conveniently in thehand of the operator. Proof of the desirability of this design isevidenced by the fact that all major electric shavers sold on the markettoday are essentially of the general shape and configuration.

The type of shaver disclosed in JepSon Patent No. 2,688,184 is one inwhich the beard enters the shaving head through a curved comb perforatedwith a network of small holes. An oscillated cutter including one ormore cutting blades travelling back and forth across the comb at highspeed and thrown by centrifugal force against the inside surface of thecomb Whisks off the beard. The cutter floats in a cutter head and shaftassembly that is oscillated by a powerful electric motor having speedsin excess of 8000 cycles per minute.

It would be desirable in a shaver of the type described above to provideimproved cutting means defined by a blade adapted to be locked intoplace in the cutting head and readily removable when desired.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved cutting blade for an electric dry shaver.

it is another object of the present invention to provide an electric dryshaver having improved cutting means.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedcutting blade for an electric dry shaver which is adapted to be lockedin place and which is readily removable when desired.

Still another object of the present invention resides in an electric dryshaver having a trimming portion for cutting long hairs on the neck,ears, nose and sideburns, as well as for trimming a mustache or thelike, which trimmer is completely safe with no moving parts exposed.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds and the features ofnovelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and form-ing a part of thisspecification.

For a better understanding of the present invention,

3,208,141 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 reference may be had to theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an electric shaver embodying thepresent invention with certain portions cut away more clearly toillustrate the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an outside one of the plurality ofcutting blades of the electric dry shaver of FIG. 1.

Briefly, the present invention is concerned with an improved cuttingblade for an electric dry shaver of the type having one or moreoscillating cutting blades cooperating with a perforated comb anddepending upon centrifugal force and spring means for moving the cuttingblade into engagement with the comb. An elongated cutting blade isprovided having a cutting surface along one edge and having an integralhook-shaped projection extending from the edge of the blade opposite thecutting edge. The cutting surface includes an elongated cutting area,and a short cutting section defined at the end of the blade separatedfrom said elongated area. Mean-s are provided whereby the cutter bladesare locked into place in a manner so that they can readily be removedwhen desired. Moreover, the short cutting section at one end of theblades provides a trimmer for sideburns and long hairs on the neck, noseand ears of the user.

Referring now to the drawing, the present invention is illustrated asembodied in an electric dry shaver generally designated by the referencenumeral 20. The shaver 20 is fully described in the above-mentionedJepson et al. Patent No. 3,196,539 granted July 27, 1965 and isdescribed herein only to the extent necessary to explain the presentinvention. It should be understood that the description of Jepson of a1.Patent No. 3,196,539 granted July 27, 1965 is effectively incorporatedin this application as a full description of the shaver 20. Asillustrated, shaver 20 comprises a cutting assembly or mechanism,generally designated at 21, comprising a plurality of substantiallyidentical cutters 21a, 21b, etc., the cutter 21a being shown in FIG. 2of the drawing and the cutter 21b being shown in FIG. 1. These cutterscoact with a removable comb or cutting surface 22. The comb and cuttermechanism are associated with a suitable casing, generally designated at23, and the comb 22 preferably comprises a substantial portion of thesurface of the casing 23. Housed within the casing 23 is a suitableelectric motor, generally designated at 24, which is adapted to beconnected by suitable driving means, generally designated at 25, withthe cutter mechanism 21 in order to cause oscillation of this cuttermechanism at a speed in excess of 8000 cycles per minute.

As is fully disclosed in the aforementioned Jepson et al. Patent No.3,196,539, granted July 27, 1965, the casing 23 is of boxlikeconfiguration so that it may be readily held in the hand of the user.The casing 23 is effectively divided into a motor chamber, generallydesignated at 26, and a cutter chamber, generally designated at 27.

Rotary motion of the motor 24 is converted to oscillating motion of thecutter assembly 21 in any suitable manner; for example, as more fullydescribed in the abovementioned Jepson et al. Patent No. 3,196,539granted July 27, 1965. For imparting oscillatory motion to the cutterassembly 21, there is provided a cutter shaft 30 which has one endthereof supported by a bearing 31 and the other end supported by abearing defined between a head bearing seat 32 and a head bearing cap33. This cutter shaft 30 is mounted in spaced parallel relationship withthe shaft of the motor 24 and is substantially c0- extensive therewith.One end of the cutter shaft 30 is connected to the motor shaft by thedriving means 25, fully described in the above-mentioned Jepson et al.Patent No. 3,196,539 granted July 27, 1965.

For supporting the cutters 21a, 21b, etc. for oscillation with thecutter shaft 30, the latter is provided with a plurality of upwardlyextending supports 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d. These supports are each ofsomewhat triangular shape with a flanged opening 36 defined essentiallyat the apex of the triangle through which the cutter shaft 30 extends.Moreover, the supports 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d are rigidly fastened to thecutter shaft so as to be disposed in spaced parallel relationship and,furthermore, so as to provide a unitary cutter supporting structure. Toinsure proper balance of the movable portions of the cutter assembly 21,the support 35a oppositethe driving means 25 of the shaver 20 isprovided with a downwardly extending portion 38 to which is secured acounterweight 39.

Each of the supports 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d is provided with one or moreslots or grooves 40, the number of slots depending on the number ofcutters or cutting blades 21a, 21b, etc. The slots for each particularcutter in the supports 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d are, of course, aligned toreceive therein the respective cutter blades 21a, 21b, etc. in parallelangularly disposed relationship, more fully described in theabove-mentioned Jepson et al. patent. Essentially, these cutter bladesare identical, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the onlyexception being that all but one of these cutter blades are providedwith an identifying eyelet such as 42 in FIG. 2 of the drawing wherebythe user may always place the correct blade in its particularly seriesof aligned slots. From the above description it will be apparent thatthe cutter supports 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d removably receive in thedifferent series of aligned slots 40 the associated blades 21a, 21b,etc. thereby maintaining the latter in parallel angularly disposedrelationship so that the cutting edges thereof may be disposed in anarcuate manner for engaging the comb 22.

For the purpose of resiliently supporting the cutter blades 21a, 21b,etc. within the associated aligned slots 40 in the spaced supports 35a,35b, 35c and 35d, there is provided for each blade a resilient spring43, only one of which is shown in the drawing. These springs are in theform of a wire of spring material deformed to the configuration shown inFIG. 1 with the central U-shaped portion adapted to be disposed betweenthe supports 35b and 35a, and within slots 44 formed in these supports.These slots 44 would be extensions of slots 40 except for narrow wallpotions 45 separating them, as best shown in the Jepson et al. PatentNo. 3,196,539 granted July 27, 1965. Somewhat upwardly extending angularend portions of springs 43 are adapted to be received within the slots40 of supports 35a and 35d beneath cutter blades 21a. It will beapparent that the supports 35b and 35c differ from the supports 35a and35d in that they include the slots 44 separated from the slots 40 by thenarrow wall portions 45, which slots 44 accommodate the central portionof the springs 43. It will be understood that the centrifugal forceproduced as a result of high speed oscillation of the cutter blades 21awill cause them to be forced against the inside surface of the comb 22insuring engagement therewith in accordance with the principle set forthin Bruecker Patent No. 2,081,694. This centrifugal force, of course, iscombined with the force of the springs 43.

The comb 22 is identical with that shown in Iepson et al. Patent No.3,196,539 granted July 27, 1965, and it comprises a cutting surfaceformed of very thin flexible material perforated by one or more punchingoperations with a large number of hair receiving openings particularlywell adapted for receiving short beard hairs, and a plurality ofelongated slots having serrations or teeth along the edges thereof forreceiving long hairs. The area provided with the openings comprises thecutting area which area defines a substantially portion of the casingsurface and smoothly conforms thereto.

Since the cutting surface of the comb 22 is formed of relativelythin-material, i tends to conform itself to the shape of the surfacewith which it is in contact and, therefore, must be supported by asuitable supporting structure or frame, generally designated at 50,comprising a plurality of parallel arcuate ribs 50a, 50b and 50c spacedfrom one another in a direction along the longitudinal axis of thecutting blades 21a, 21b, etc. The ribs 50a and 50c are effectively endframe members and are somewhat wider than the ribs 50b. The ribs 50b areuniformly spaced except adjacent the elongated slots of the comb wherecloser spacing for satisfactory support is necessary. The thin cuttingsurface portion of the comb 22 is suitably riveted or otherwise securedto the comb frame 50 to provide a relatively rigid removable unitsufiiciently sturdy so as not to be damaged when handled in a normalmanner. Although the end rib or frame member 50a defines the end of theshaving area, in order to provide a trimming area the comb 22 isprovided with an extension beyond the rib 50a in the form of a pluralityof spaced arcuately positioned cutting teeth which are defined as partof an arcuate end support all as fully disclosed in the aforesaid Jepsonet al. patent.

In order that the cutter blades 21a, 21b, etc. may make shearing contactwith the inner surface of the arcuateshaped comb 22, and particularlythe flexible cutting surface thereof without interfering with the ribs50a and 50b, the cutter blades are provided with a plurality of notchesand 56, as best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing, the notch 55 being arelatively large notch to accommodate the end rib 50a. Thus, theportions of the cutting blade between the notches 56 and also betweenthe notch 55 and the adjacent notch 56 provide cutting surfacesengageable with the inside surface of the comb 22. The blades alsocomprise a plurality of notches 57 which are located adjacent theelongated slots of the comb. These notches are provided so as not tointerfere with the entry of long hairs into the elongated openings orslots.

In accordance with the present invention, each of the cutter blades 21a,21b, etc. includes an end cutting portion, designated as 60, whichcooperates with the inside surfaces of the teeth previously mentioned soas to provide a trimming cutting action over the arcuate area at the endof comb 22. The above-mentioned copending Jepson et al. patent clearlyillustrates the manner in which the present dry shaver can be used fortrimming sideburns and other longer hair.

In accordance with the present invention, the cutter blades 21a, 21b,etc. are adapted to be locked into place when inserted in the slots 40in a manner so that they may readily be removed when desired. To thisend, each of the blades 21a, 21b, etc. has a pair of integral hookshapedprojecting portions 62a and 62b, as best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing.These hook-shaped extensions 62a and 62b extend from the back of thecutter or, in

other words, from the edge opposite the cutting edge and are spaced thesame distance apart as are the center cutter supports 35b and 35c. Thecutter blades are adapted to be inserted in the slots 40 with the opensides of the hook-shaped portions to the left of the supports 35b and350, respectively, as viewed in FIG. 1 of the drawing. The cutter bladesare then pushed downwardly into the slots 40 against the force ofsprings 43 so that the open ends of the hooks 62a and 6212 are below thewall portions 45, whereupon the entire blade is moved slightly to theright as viewed in FIG. 1 so that the hookshaped portions 62a and 62bmove beneath the wall portions 45. Then, upon release of the pressureforcing the blades into the slot 40, the hook-shaped portions 62a, and62b will engage the wall portions 45 and removably lock the blades inposition.

For best shaving action it is desired that the cutter blades 21a, 21b,etc. are always used in the same relative position in the cutterassembly and to this end, as was mentioned above, all but one of thecutter blades are provided with eyelets 42 which preferably are ofdifferent color and correspondingly colored indicia may be pro vided ona related portion of the shaver 20 so that the blades 21a, 21b, etc. mayalways be inserted in their same respective series of aligned slots.Obviously the hookshaped extensions 62a and 62b and the trimmer ends 60insure that the blades will always be inserted in the same direction.

In view of the detailed description included above, the operation of theelectric dry shaver 20 will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Itwill furthermore be ap parent that a dry shaver has been disclosedcomprising readily assembled parts, each of very sturdy constructionwhich will give long and foolproof operation. By virtue of the use of aplurality of cutter blades with end trimming members, there is provideda more eflicient shaver which can perform hair cutting operations in amuch better manner than was heretofore possible. Additionally, thecutting blades may be readily inserted and locked in place, and arereadily removable when desired.

While only a single embodiment of the present invention has been shown,it will be understood that various changes and modifications will occurto those skilled in the art, and it is contemplated in the appendedclaims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A cutter blade for use in a shaver of the type having a curved comband means for oscillating said cutter blade in shearing engagement withthe inside of said comb, the combination of an elongated blade having acutting surface along one edge, a pair of hook-shaped projectionsextending from the edge of said blade opposite said cutting edge, saidhook-shaped projections being disposed entirely within the plane of theblade, the hooks of each of said hook-shaped projections being disposedon the same corresponding sides of their associated projection, the openend of each hook being directed toward the edge of said blade oppositesaid cutting edge, whereby said hook-shaped projections may besimultaneously disengaged from any members disposed within the hooksupon a slight movement in the direction that the hookshaped projectionsextend from the blade followed by movement of said blade along itslongitudinal axis.

2. A cutter blade for use in a shaver of the type having a curved comband means for oscillating said cutter blade in shearing engagement withthe inside of said comb, the combination of an elongated blade having anelongated cutting area along one edge, a short cutting section definedat the end of said blade separated from said elongated cutting area, apair of hook-shaped projections extending from the edge of said bladeopposite said cutting edge, said hook-shaped projections being disposedentirely within the plane of the blade, the hooks of each of saidhook-shaped projections being disposed on the same corresponding sidesof their associated projection, the open end of each book being directedtoward the edge of said blade opposite said cutting edge, whereby saidhook-shaped projections may be simultaneously disengaged from anymembers disposed within the hooks upon a slight movement in thedirection that the hookshapcd projections extend from the blade followedby movement of said blade along its longitudinal axis.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,196,098 4/40Bruecker 3043.9 X 2,331,500 10/43 Rand 3043.9 2,917,825 12/59 Winther3043.9 2,935,788 5/60 Kleinman 30-342 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MYRON C. KRUSE, Examiner.

1. A CUTTER BLADE FOR USE IN A SHAVER OF THE TYPE HAVING A CURVED COMBAND MEANS FOR OSCILLATING SAID CUTTER BLADE IN SHEARING ENGAGEMENT WITHTHE INSIDE OF SAID COMB, THE COMBINATION OF AN ELONGATED BLADE HAVING ACUTTING SURFACE ALONG ONE EDGE, A PAIR OF HOOK-SHAPED PROJECTIONSEXTENDING FROM THE EDGE OF SAID BLADE OPPOSITE SAID CUTTING EDGE, SAIDHOOK-SHAPED PROJECTIONS BEING DISPOSED ENTIRELY WITHIN THE PLANE OF THEBLADE, THE HOOKS OF EACH OF SAID HOOK-SHAPED PROJECTIONS BEING DISPOSEDON THE SAME CORRESPONDING SIDES OF THEIR ASSOCIATED PROJECTION, THE OPENEND OF EACH HOOK BEING DIRECTED TOWARD THE EDGE OF SAID BLADE OPPOSITESAID CUTTING EDGE, WHEREBY SAID HOOK-SHAPED PROJECTIONS MAY BESIMULTANEOUSLY DISENGAGED FROM ANY MEMBERS DISPOSED WITHIN THE HOOKSUPON A SLIGHT MOVEMENT IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE HOOKSHAPED PREJECTIONSEXTEND FROM THE BLADE FOLLOWED BY MOVEMENT OF SAID BLADE ALONG ITSLONGITUDINAL AXIS.